Slayer of Beasts

Chapter 12: Knowing Her Friends

The mercenaries were more than happy to accept Felicity as one of their own, they were all happy, even if they did not show it. Although Iris appeared to be upset and Reyneval couldn't care less. Felicity walked around the fort, breathing in the crispy air of the forest. It had been a little more than a week and she was already feeling so much better. These newer companions seemed like decent people.

Going up a flight of stone stairs she came upon Spyr, who was playing with flasks and colorful herbs. "What are you doing?" She observed how concentrated he was, trying not to spill any of the liquids. It took him a couple of seconds to answer that he was making poisons for his arrows. "Poisons?" she sat next to him in the pleasant midday sun.

"Yup." he stuck out his tongue as he mixed the ingredients. "You're probably wondering how a kid like me knows this stuff?" She shook her head then nodded. "Tain said he didn't want me in close combat. So, he told Reyneval to teach me about archery and he agreed but at first my aim wasn't so great. Then Iris decided to buy books on poisons. She would give me lessons and she would read along with me. She would constantly ask Reyneval to bring supplies when he went on his hunting trips." The kid was proud of his abilities, the way he spoke of them and his giant grin made it noticeable. He was proud of helping of doing some good in this world.

"Hey, is Iris always so... serious? Or like does she not like me?"

"She doesn't trust you yet. She's also very serious and she's rarely nice to the rest of the group except for me and Tain." He grinned.

Felicity nodded in suspicion. "How does she know magic? Where did she get her staff?"

He looked up at the blue sky—at the trees that surrounded them—and tapped his chin. "Hmm. There was a time our family was torn apart at least that's what Tain told me. She learned magic before I was born and she's had that staff for as long as I can remember." She watched Spyr continue working and asked him to teach her. He was more than happy to help and they laughed and taught each other survival tips.

~

Felicity laid next to Jane looking at the setting sun turning the sky gold and red. She could hear Jane's breathing and feel her chest rising. What does the future have stored for us? She heard footsteps and saw Iris walking by. Calling to her with a cheerful voice she waved.

Iris stopped, looked at her and continued walking.

She has a fire staff. I wonder if she knows how staves are made? Strange, almost all of the fire dragons have gone extinct. Centuries over centuries of having them hunted...

The empire had the tendency to hunt dragons in the past. They brought parts of dragons in wagons but not anymore. Vondir used to tell her that in the past, way before he was born, the senators would send armies and ballistae to the border of Zeria-esqua back when Vercha was still part of Cander. He spoke of a passage that led directly into the desert. A passage big enough for armies to cross in small groups like ants. But they stopped, and then Vercha won its independence over 70 years ago.

Yet not too long ago the empire was able to kill a dragon and bring it to the capital. His new staff came such a dragon, that was what he told her.

Letting go of all those horrible memories Felicity continued to look at the sun and slowly began to fall into the world of dreams.

~

Someone was tapping Felicity yet she pushed them away until she heard the word dinner. "I'm awake! I'm awake!" she jumped on her feet and Adestina giggled. "Thanks for calling-My diaries!"